Huntington Beach: 4 days in Surf City USA
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more quintessential Southern California beach town than Huntington Beach. Situated between Los Angeles and San Diego, the famed Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) runs alongside the destination's nearly 10 miles of uninterrupted sandy shores. World-class waves have earned it the official title of Surf City USA (really, they even trademarked it). But it’s not just the perfect waves and iconic landmarks that make Huntington Beach such an ideal getaway.
Sun-kissed days spent on the sand. A welcoming community where “relaxed” is not just a dress code; it’s a way of life. Incredible local eats that fuel endless outdoor activities. Alfresco dining and rooftop lounges. Beach bonfires as the sun sets on another beautiful Southern California day.
Read on for a four-day guide to getting away in Huntington Beach this year.
Day 1: Welcome to Surf City USA
About 40 miles south of Los Angeles and less than 100 miles north of San Diego, this Orange County staple is an ideal spot for a beach weekend staycation in the area. It's also a great launching point for those visiting SoCal amusement parks like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, each about 20 miles away. For those arriving by plane, you have plenty of options. The John Wayne Airport (SNA) is the closest airport, with nonstop flights from all around the country including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, New York and Seattle. Even more routes are available at nearby Long Beach Airport (LGB), Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
As you approach town, you'll know you're close once you feel the salty sea air, ocean breeze and see an influx of surfboards. For a proper first impression, start out at the Huntington Beach Pier. This local landmark—one of the longest piers on the West Coast at 1,850 feet long—serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. Expect to see surfers, anglers casting a line and views of Catalina Island. The Pier extends onto Main Street, which you can count on as a launching point to shopping and dining in downtown Huntington Beach.
For something quick, fresh and delicious, stop by Ry’s Poke Shack Huntington Beach on Main. Just down the road is Tacos Los Cholos, the 2025 Surf City USA Foodie Awards Best Taco Winner. Head further north on Main to Zero Zero 39 Pizzeria, owned by a family from Rome, for an authentic taste of Italy. Opt for pizza by the slice to try a variety of styles, including a beloved Truffle Porcini with mozzarella, porcini mushrooms, fresh Italian parsley and a white truffle oil imported from Alba, Italy.
Make the most of your vacation with an oceanfront stay. Less than a five-minute walk from the pier is the Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort. This boutique hotel offers a host of unique amenities, like in-room record players and nightly fireside s'mores kits. Further down the PCH is the Paséa Hotel & Spa, where almost every room in this relaxing retreat features an ocean view.
Just across the way is The Waterfront Beach Resort, an aptly named stay that also offers a spa and rooftop lounge. Soak up all the sun at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa which features a lagoon-style pool, a family pool with water slides, and luxury cabanas available to rent.
A defining feature of this coastal getaway is its traditional beach bonfires. There are over 500 beach public fire pits that are free and first come, first serve (just bring your firewood). Some of the oceanfront resorts, like The Waterfront Beach Resort, offer reservations for private bonfire experiences. They'll take care of the details, so you can focus on roasting s'mores and watching the sun set.
Day 2: Get Stoked
A day on the beach is practically obligatory here, and you'll have five sandy spots to choose from. Huntington City Beach stretches alongside the pier and is one of the best spots to watch professional surfers in action (check out their live cam for a sneak preview). The town's 100-plus years of surfing history started right here, in fact. This beach is also a great choice if you're looking for surfing lessons or rentals if you're looking to "hang ten" yourself.
Huntington State Beach spans over 120 acres. Surfing is restricted here during high season, drawing in swimmers, boogie boarders and bodysurfers. It's also home to endangered bird species, including California's least tern, so birdwatchers will want to remember their binoculars and notebook.
Bolsa Chica State Beach has three uninterrupted miles of coastline, prime for long walks on the beach. This beach also features an 8.5-mile paved trail, perfect for a bike ride in the ocean air. All three of the aforementioned spots feature beach volleyball nets on a first-come, first-serve basis. It's one of the town's most popular sports, so you’re sure to find some pickup games in progress. If you're visiting with your beloved four-legged friend, the Huntington Dog Beach is a must (just be sure to read up on these rules and safety tips). And finally, Sunset Beach is a laid-back spot where sunbathers and swimmers can relax. It also sits next to the Huntington Harbour, where you can get out on the water in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
Huntington Beach hosts exciting events all year long. Time your trip right, you may catch sight of the best surfers in the world, or a sea of corgis. The SoCal Corgi Beach Day on April 6 is said to be the largest event of its kind, bringing together over 1,200 corgis and over 15,000 corgi fans. You can expect themed contests, a corgi kissing booth and endless adorable corgi smiles. This event also happens in the fall if you can't make the April date.
It wouldn't be Surf City USA without prime surfing events. In July, some of the best surfers from around the world will gather in Huntington Beach for the US Open of Surfing. And on October 10, A Great Day in the Stoke will hold its fifth annual gathering. The inaugural event was the largest ever gathering of black surfers, created to provide a safe space for black surfers.
In September, Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach at Old World Village will return for another year of lively celebrations with authentic German beers, brats and bands. It bills itself as "Orange County’s biggest party since 1977," and will have you second guessing if you hadn't landed in Munich (with much sunnier weather). And October 2-4 the highly anticipated Pacific Air Show will impress over Huntington City Beach. The lineup is different every time, with past year's headliners including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds and F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team. The air show thrills over three days, and you can either purchase tickets for special seating on the beach or take it in for free around town.
A day well-spent outside deserves a dinner spent the same. Huntington Beach offers the SoCal specialty of alfresco dining. Jolie & The Belle is situated across from the pier, with a rooftop overlooking the ocean. The rooftop menu features fresh dishes like seared ahi; black mussels in a white wine, shallots, garlic and cream sauce; plus cocktails including a paloma and cold brew martini. Across the street is Sandy’s Beach Shack. Their beachfront patio offers pier and ocean views and a tasty menu of burgers, tacos, salads and seafood. And inside the Paséa Hotel is Lōrea, where you can sip a handcrafted cocktail and enjoy locally sourced dishes in the ocean breeze.
Day 3: Beyond the beach
After a full day of sun and sand, consider spending a day exploring around town. For the full Huntington Beach experience, head to the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum located just a short walk from the pier. The museum has rotating exhibits and will reopen in July with a new one called "WSL50," a look at 50 years of the World Surfing League. Be sure to also check out the Guinness World Record-breaking largest surfboard they have on display outside. Pacific City, located south of the pier off the PCH, is an open-air mall with dozens of shops and restaurants. They also host frequent live music, and events like outdoor movie nights.
It's not often you see a library on a traveler's guide, but the Huntington Beach Central Library is worthy of a stop. This hidden gem is situated in the quiet, sprawling Central Park surrounded by walking paths. This expansive space is beloved for its unique features, like serene water fountains and lots of greenery inside, and a (not so) "Secret Garden" behind the building.
The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve showcases the incredible nature in the area. It's the largest saltwater marsh in the region and includes 1,300 acres of wetlands. Birdwatchers should flock here—321 different species of birds have been sighted here over the past decade. The reserve has five miles of hiking trails dotted with scenic overlooks to take it all in.
After a day of exploring, sit back with a brew or two at one of the area's many craft breweries. Green Cheek Beer Co. in Sunset Beach is serving up original beers like their Good For Morale Czech pilsner; Zombi Shark Fight Italian pilsner; and Like Super Profound, a Japanese-inspired rice lager. Across from the Bolsa Chica Wetlands is Riip Beer Co. The taproom features a rotating selection of 20 beers brewed in house. Order a meal from their neighboring Riip Beer & Pizzeria to enjoy on the dog-friendly patio.
Family-owned Four Sons Brewing has a taproom on Main Street, and a larger space a few miles north on Gothard Street with their restaurant AlpineHaus Family Kitchen inside. Try their classic HB Lager, or go for something unique like the watermelon wheat they call Wild Rind or an orange and vanilla cream ale called Julius Who? And just around the corner of the Gothard Street location is Flashpoint Brewing Company. This laid-back spot offers welcoming outdoor space and a rotating lineup of brews from a Vienna lager to an oatmeal stout.
Day 4: So long, SoCal
Soak up as much beachside time as possible with an early morning and head to the pier (open at 5 a.m.) With crowds typically not forming until later in the day, so you can fully soak up the tranquil sounds of the ocean waves, breathe in the crisp ocean air and bask in the early morning glow.
Enjoy one last walk along the pier and grab breakfast at Parlor Doughnuts across the PCH. Their menu consists of coffees and teas, breakfast sandwiches, and unique donut flavors including maple bacon and French toast—an ideal way to end the trip on a sweet note. Use this day to visit any restaurants or beaches that you missed, before heading home to plan your return trip.